Devine Scripture

1 John 5:7

What does 1 John 5:7 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 John 5:7 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 John 5:7 means

John emphasizes the Spirit’s role: “it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth.” The Spirit is not merely truthful; He is the truth, perfectly reliable in testifying to Jesus’ identity and work. He makes known what the Father has done in the Son, illuminating minds and confirming hearts. His witness operates through the apostolic message and in believers internally, aligning with the facts of Jesus’ coming by water and blood. Where the Spirit speaks, He does so to exalt Christ. Therefore, receiving the Spirit’s testimony is receiving God’s own verdict about His Son.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is the truth.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the Spirit is the witness, because the Spirit is true.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because three are who are testifying <FI>in the heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit, and these--the three--are one;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And there are Three who give testimony in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For they that bear witness are three:

Context

Verse 7 builds on verse 6 by spotlighting the Spirit as the divine witness to Jesus Christ. John is preparing the reader for the triad completed in verse 8, where the Spirit’s witness is joined with the “water and the blood.” This emphasis on testimony undergirds the following section, verses 9–12, where the greatness of God’s witness is contrasted with human testimony and the saving content of that witness is articulated—eternal life, located in the Son, possessed by those who have Him and by no one else.

v.6This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not with the water only, but with the water and with the blood.

v.7This passage

v.8For there are three who bear witness, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and the three agree in one.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:4

    Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

  • John 8:13

    The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest witness of thyself; thy witness is not true.

  • Acts 2:33

    Being therefore by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath poured forth this, which ye see and hear.

  • Matthew 18:16

    But if he hear thee not, take with thee one or two more, that at the mouth of two witnesses or three every word may be established.

  • 1 John 1:1

    That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life

  • Isaiah 48:16

    Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; from the beginning I have not spoken in secret; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord Jehovah hath sent me, and his Spirit.

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